Mineralocorticoids restore quiescent morphology and reduce VEGF receptor expression in inflamed choroidal endothelial cells in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
While the glucocorticoid triamcinolone acetonide (9alpha-fluoro-16alpha-hydroxyprednisolone, TA) has been widely administered as a treatment of ocular inflammation, mineralocorticoids have not been tested for their efficacy.


METHODS
We assessed cellular morphology and actin distribution by immunomicroscopy and light microscopy, membrane permeability with transendothelial resistance and cell surface vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGF-R1) expression by flow cytometry.


RESULTS
Fludrocortisone acetate was more effective than TA in restoring quiescent morphology and reducing membrane permeability in phorbol-12-myristate-acetate (PMA)-stimulated choroidal endothelial cells (CECs). Each of the corticosteroids inhibited VEGF-R1 cell surface expression in PMA-responsive CECs.


CONCLUSIONS
Mineralocorticoids may be of potential use in reducing vascular permeability in ocular disease.
Fitzgerald
Melinda
M
School of Animal Biology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, W.A., Australia. melfitz1@cyllene.uwa.edu.au
Evill
Lauren
L
Banz
Kelly
K
Carroll
Simon
S
Rodger
Jennifer
J
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002199:Capillary Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D048429:Cell Size / Q000187:drug effects; D002829:Choroid / Q000166:cytology*; D003350:Cortodoxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008901:Mineralocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000494:pharmacology
D000199:Actins; D008901:Mineralocorticoids; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; D003350:Cortodoxone